Knight and Squire #5Review

Share.

A surprisingly though-provoking entry into DC's most unique series.

By Joey Esposito

If you haven't been reading Knight and Squire, I pity you.

This series has been irreverent from the get-go, but Knight and Squire #5 is likely the best installment we'll see. In this issue, "The British Joker" Jarvis Poker, Knight and Squire's arch-enemy, learns that he has a terminal illness with very little time to live. Paul Cornell weaves a hilarious and touching story that sees Poker attempting one last crime spree and failing, instead becoming the focus of a mocking an internet meme. Having never been a true vicious threat, always opting for harmless practical jokes, Knight and Squire take it upon themselves to hatch a plan that would allow Poker to think he's unleashing a masterplan, as one final hurrah before he dies. Cornell's story in this issue is not only full of the expected British humor (including a cameo from Jonathan Ross), but also plays up the character interaction even more so than last issue. It's a touching look at the British DCU hero/villain relationship that could not have been handled more brilliantly. It's clear that to these characters, dressing up and playing hero and villain is quite literally fun and games. That is, until Cornell throws a curve ball that introduces somebody that doesn't think the joke is quote so funny.

There's only one issue left to go, so the adventures with these characters will soon be coming to an end. I can't urge you enough to go out and pick up this series, if not in floppy form then the trade paperback. Issue #5 proves that these characters have longer legs than just a six issue mini.